New Market, VA

On Saturday, April, 20th we drove to New Market, VA and camped at the Endless Caverns RV Park. This is a unique park in it was built to take care of campers who attended the NASCAR races. Unfortunately, it did not pan out. It is a huge and beautiful park, but has certainly fallen on hard times. If we had not camped here, their weekday attendance would be zero. Good for us, bad for them.

This was one busy stop. Saturday we drove here and had a catered dinner the evening we arrived. We also got to see one of our caravaners who has just gotten too old to caravan anymore. It was great seeing him. His wife is ill and could not attend, we sure miss them.

Next day, Sunday was a "free" day. So we went to church, ate at the church and saw a local play (Chicago). All this was at the recommendation of Sally and Chuck who live in Woodstock, VA and know all the local people. We had a really great time and loved the church people and the play. Also, we got to see Chuck and Sally's house which was built originally in the late 1700's. It has been updated as the time passed.

Monday we toured Hupp's Hill Civil War Park and had a tour and lecture on Cedar Creek Battlefield. This battlefield is one of the few that allows reenactment on site, that is on the actual battlefield. The afternoon saw us at the Secret Passage Ranch where we got a lecture and demonstration of horsemanship. This was a highlight for us, we spent several hours here. Annie saw her first cow up close, and got to smell cow poop.

On Tuesday the 23rd we visited the Virginia Museum of the Civil War; saw a movie, looked over their displays and then had lunch at the Southern Kitchen in New Market. After lunch we had a walking tour of the town. The favorite story for me was about Jessie Rupert who was a Union sympathizer and was taken to General Stonewall Jackson to be punished. Jackson looked up from his desk, saw her, got up and hugged her. It seems he and Jessie had taught Sunday school together. He told the townsfolk to leave her alone and assigned a guard to her house. She is buried in New Market next to her husband.

Next we move to Brunswick, MD.

Some of the beautiful driveway leading to the home of Chuck and Sally's house in the Shenandoah Valley

Annie looking at the Shenandoah River. She has learned about a lot of things.

Couldn't resist this sign at the Secret Passage Ranch.

Stained glass window at the Cedar Creek Battlefield.

Chuck and Sally's house.

At Secret Passage Ranch we had a talk and demonstration on horsemanship. 

The offices at Endless Caverns RV Park.

Tour guide in New Market, VA

Grave of Jessie Rupert.

See 'ya, Barry, Shirley and Annie

Buena Vista, VA

We arrived at Buena Vista pronounced by locals as "Buna" Vista. After unhitching around 1 pm we noticed a baseball field, mostly fenced where we could turn Annie loose along with her new friend "Griz" a small mutt that is on our caravan.

This is Annie's first time ever to be able to just run. Run without her leash. She and Griz ran until they could not run anymore. It was great fun to watch them running just for the pure joy of running. It was good too 'cause Annie slept 9 hours that night before we had to let her out to "tee-tee."

In the evening we had a "cook-out" of Taco salad, it was good and great not to have to find food after the drive. Most of our caravaners are southerners and it was their first time for Taco salad.

Next day we drove to Lexington, just 8 miles away to visit Lee Chapel on the Washington-Lee University Campus. Our guide gave a talk slanted toward the south. He kept mentioning the "Yankees" but never once mentioned the "Rebels." I should have called him on it, but I'm out numbered here.

Next we visited Stonewall Jackson's house which was very interesting because I have read a lot about him. No photo's were allowed, but the tour was good and the talk was OK.

From here we went on a carriage ride pulled by two white horses named Minnie and Pearl. It was a nice slow ride but just as we reached the cemetery and I was taking a photo of Jackson's monument, the  horses broke the carriage tongue and were free. Fast thinking on my part due to watching all those old westerns as a kid, I jumped from the wagon onto the horses and stopped the runaway team just like Tom Mix always did. Well, actually I held Minnie's nose so she would hold still while the girl driver put things back together.

We had Annie along, and she got to see her very first horses up close.

After a costly lunch but great apple cobbler we drove to VMI and toured their museum. This is a great museum, some of our greatest soldiers came from here, Geo. Patton for one. We were to also have a guided tour and watch a Dress Parade, but they were rained out.

Yes, it rained hard. When we got back home, I don't know how we do it but the trailer was sitting in water. We can find the low spots to park on. By morning things were not too soggy and we hitched up for our next site.

Annie saw her first horse.

No pictures were allowed inside.

VMI Chapel 

This stop we did not see any battlefields but we did see a lot of history both before, during and after the Civil War.

See Ya! Barry, Shirley and Annie

Spout Springs

From Chesterfield we drove to Spout Springs. We were de-parkers and as I was hitching up I noticed a "funny" looking tire. So rather than do my de-parking duties, I changed a tire. It must have had a flat spot 'cause it was worn right down to the cords and next to it was raised tread. A very dangerous situation.  Glad I found it. The spare has been removed now and a new tire is in its place.

Finally getting on the road we made it to Spout Spring OK. At Spout Spring as I jacked up the trailer the jack went through the bottom skin of the trailer even though I had the jack in the proper location, so Airstream put the "star" in the wrong place.

Touring here was a treat, we first visited the site of Sailor's Creek Battlefield. Union lost 1,148 men and the Confederates lost 7,700 dead or captured. This was the last major battle between Lee and Grant.

Lunch was at a place called Charley's Waterfront Cafe. Food was good, deserts were terrific! After lunch we went to visit High Bridge, which is 120 feet high and set afire after the Confederates crossed it in retreat. Unfortunately for them the Union was hot on their tails and the fire was put out.

Next day was free so we did the tire thing mentioned above. Were unable to purchase the same brand but the spare is replaced with a new tire.

Wednesday, April 17th we visited the Museum of the Confederacy in Appomattox which is the overflow of stuff not in Richmond. The highlight was a speaker who talked about R. E. Lee. One of the best talks ever.

The afternoon we visited and toured Appomattox Court House, VA where Lee surrendered to Grant at the home of Wimer McLean, on April 9, 1865. An interesting fact was the first battle at Bull Run occurred at Mr. McLeans home and farm so he moved so his family would not be subjected to the war, then his new home ended up being the site of the surrender's signing four years later.

It is unfortunate but I forgot to bring our camera on our visit of Appomattox but the memories will forever be imprinted on my mind.

Daddy and Annie at play.

Shirley took this picture of Annie, she is growing up right before our very eyes.

We play a lot.

For those of you that have not noticed, Annie is growing. She has been in 9 states so far and is learning to look out as we drive along. We are even sleeping now.

See Ya! Barry, Shirley and Annie

Chesterfield Activities, CW Part III

This is written on April 16th which is the first day I have had to write. By Tuesday evening, April 9th, everyone had arrived and we headed for or welcome dinner where we introduced ourselves and renewed friendships. As usual we had a great meal and a great time.

Next morning saw us leaving at 7 am to take Annie to her first kennel stay. As the lady said, "Annie is ready, but you are not," meaning Shirley. It was hard for both of us as she has been with us 24/7 since she came into our lives. It must be like taking your child to the first day of class and leaving them at school.

The bus ride into Richmond made us glad we had a bus driver to rely on. Very busy place with very narrow streets. Here we visited the Chimborazo Hospital and Hollywood Cemetery, both of which were significant in the Civil War. Lunch was on our own so we ate at Cary Town, a famous area in Richmond.

From here we toured Richmond via bus including visiting the monuments celebrating the civil wars participants...all Confederate of course.

There were brush fires, so most highways were blocked and it took several hours to get back to camp, and even longer to reach Annie's kennel. We were very glad to all be reunited once again. Annie did fine, we were frazzled.

Day two, April eleventh, we left at 7 am for the kennel then took the bus back to Richmond where we went to the Museum of the Confederacy and also visited the Confederate White House where Jefferson Davis lived and did most of his work.

I purchased a Confederate belt buckle here to wear instead of my Union buckle because I did not want to be lynched by some of these Confederate sympathizers.

Friday, the twelfth, we drove to Petersburg National Battlefield. Saw a movie, then had a ranger tour, toured the battle ground, then visited the museum and finally visited Blandford Church. This battlefield was important because this was the last time Lee and Grant fought each other. It is also where the Union dug a tunnel under the Confederate Army, filled it with explosives and ignited it to blow them all up. Unfortunately, the Union army fell into the crater and many Union soldiers were killed. Had this not occurred the outcome of the war would have been no different, but hundreds of people died on both sides.

Statue of riderless horse to commemorate the thousands of horses and mules killed.

Shirley and a Confederate Soldier

Ruins of Treegar Iron Works, built cannon and trains.

Blandford Church became a hospital during the war.

Our Leaders, Ed and Beth

The Confederate White House.

Iron works compared with the modern city.

Statue at Pamplin Historic Park.

Mascot at battle.

More statues at Pamplin.

Original home at Pamplin area.

This is exhausting.

OK Yankee, come and get it.

Over 8 thousand unknown Confederates are buried here in Hollywood Cemetary.

Ranger talk just off the crater. 

Original fortifications have filled in a little from 150 years ago.

More rangers talking.

Is that Jerry Brown?

Combination storm celler and museum.

Proud parents.

On our day to visit Petersburg, Annie was left at home and it was just too much for her so she has gotten to go along the rest of the time.

Long Blog, but a lot is happening. Much More later.

See Ya! Barry, Shirley and Annie

Gathering of the group.

This is our first real day in VA. After last nights rain we took care of chores. Made it to Batteries Plus for  our MiFi then I took a solo trip to find Costco and got on a turnpike and had no change and no person to pay in dollars so I drove off to the sound of sirens and snapping cameras so I will probably be arrested before long for a $0.25 infraction.

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Shirley and Annie at our campground in Chesterfield Va.

Things are settling down, we are more rested. Our drive out was hard because we did not stop at all. A few people arrived yesterday and one couple arrived the day before, the Luthers, and we had a nice happy hour with them.

Shirley did laundry yesterday. Today I renewed the water etc. for our 5 day stay when everyone gets here. We have already found a kennel for Annie as our first two days, tomorrow and Thursday, we have bus rides and we don't think she can 7 hours in her crate by herself.

Weather has gone from rain, to freezing to last nights low of 57. Annie is meeting new people each day and now and calms down faster. Last night she threw up all over Shirley on her nightly potty break. She eats everything and anything, so no wonder.

More later after the group arrives.

See Ya! Barry, Shirley and Annie

Made it to the Eastern US

We are at the rendezvous site in Chesterfield, VA! From Natchez Trace in TN we drove to the Edgar Evans state park, still in TN. We were still glowing from our experience at the last two state parks so pushed on to this park. It was on a very narrow two lane road that wound up and up and up. Finally we arrived.

We were tired, and no body was there. Was this our April fools surprise? This park has a lake and mountains. We parked in a "parking lot" and finally found some people camped and they told us it was OK to park any place and the ranger would find us. So we walked and found a place we liked. I have parked in some hard places, I can back into a garage in Colfax, but try as hard as I could, I could not park here!

Finally, giving up we headed for the exit and learned we had been on a little one lane road with no room to turn, the two lane road would make it much easier so we found another place and finally parked. It was getting dark and the power was on the wrong side of the site and the angle of the trailer and truck made it almost impossible to unhitch which we had to do because we stuck out into the roadway.

Finally it all came together and we spent the night. The ranger found us late at night and Annie got her first chance to signal we had visitors. She went to the door and looked at me as if asking, what do I do now?

Next day we were on the road again headed for NC we made it near Asheville where we spent the night in a regular RV park. It was cold, very cold and windy but I did the necessary duties outside and we finally made it to bed.

Morning on the 3rd saw us driving with the trailer for the Biltmore Estate. This monster house is on 8,000 acres of land and now hires 1,800 people to maintain it. Long story here but it took 45 miles before we were out of there. Look it up on the internet, much too much to explain here.

By 1 pm we were back on the road headed for Greensboro, NC where Shirley was able to find matching silver that had been her mothers. After the tour we headed for the towns only RV park, arrived there after closing and one look at the place decided it was not for us. So we decided to try Lucille, our GPS and find a Cracker Barrel for the night. Lucille led us to a very undesirable area of town where we felt lucky to survive getting out and headed back to the freeway. Ultimately we found a Cracker Barrel and spent a restful night there.

On the 4th we arrived here in Chesterfield at a VA state park where it rained all night. Yesterday the 5th we had nice weather, purchased a new battery for our MiFi and found a kennel for Annie if we can get the courage to use it on our first two days of caravan where we will be on a bus on those days. We do not want to leave our Annie.

Finally got set up.

The corps built these for motor homes. Scary parking on boards.

Cabins in the VA state park.

Our campsite in VA, we seem to attract water.

In front of the Biltmore, Shirley is with Gerry Brown!

We spent most of our time on the grounds, was like a Macy's sale inside.

Good to be here early enough to get some thing done. Seems we need propane too.


See Ya! Barry, Shirley and Annie

Off the beaten path

If you have been reading our blog we have grown tired of the wonders of the freeways.  We've seen it before. Due to being in a hurry we have avoided sight seeing until we reach our destination. But we have learned to take secondary roads and stop in state parks for relief.  We stopped in the Village Creek State Park, just out of Memphis. It had rained all day, sometimes quite hard, but we stopped here and saw the movie on the place. Very interesting, and had a nice rest.

Next morning we left late, due to laziness and rain. Both got wet running to the showers, but it was relatively warm so it was OK. I even washed the trailer so it looked nice for about 5 miles.

Last night we stayed in the Natchez Trace state park in TN. Very nice, cold last night but warm now as we are leaving. They have had five days of rain but sunny and very nice right now. We drove the Trace a couple of years ago and loved its beauty, we are just a little early this year. But how many can say they have slept in the Natchez Trace?

Things are looking up. The toilet that would not flush has partially healed itself so we no longer have to add water.

More later as things develop.

After a days drive we have learned we all need exercise.

And sometimes we all need to relax.

This is our campsite in Village Creek State Park, Wynne, AR

Even daddy gets exercise duty.

Sometimes we play.

Sometimes we learn to sit.

Mommy likes to play also.










See Ya! Barry, Shirley and Annie